ISO 14001 environmental performance as a stand-alone tool and back up requirement from other environmental tools for enhanced performance: South African case study
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Abstract:

Despite benefits claimed by organisations on ISO 14001 such as improved
environmental performance and gaining of business advantage, there are disputes that
the standard does not lead to improved environmental performance. The purpose of
the study was to establish environmental performance of ISO 14001 in South Africa;
and environmental management tools that can back up ISO 14001 standard for
enhanced performance. The study was based on questionnaires, interviews and
documents.
The outcome of the study was that ISO 14001 is implemented in South Africa mainly
to gain business advantage whilst aiding in improved environmental behaviour.
Benefits obtained from ISO 14001 certification by organisation include environmental
awareness and responsibility by employees across the board, more organised data
management, reduced environmental costs, no environmental liabilities and gaining
good reputation with the public, government, insurers and other stakeholders.
However the issue of costs is considerably a limitation for companies to register for
ISO 14001. The environmental management tools mostly implemented are those
closely associated with ISO 14001 such as Environmental Auditing, Environmental
Performance Indicators and Environmental Reporting. Other tools such as Design for
Environment, Life Cycle assessment, Extended Producer Responsibility, and Eco-
Mapping are not popular in South Africa which can imply missed opportunities.
Strategic incorporation of these Environmental management tools into ISO 14001
include simplicity, innovation, use of incentives, industrial associations and
benchmarking, new thinking, education, building on existing business practices and
broadening the use of ISO 14001 standard.

Description:

Student Number : 9612417M -
MSc(Eng) research report -
School of Civil and Environmental Engineering -
Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment